Page:Cynegetica.djvu/111

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Obſervations on Horſes.
95

without labour, a free breath, a ſtrong walk, a nimble, lights but a large gallop, and a ſweet trot, to give change and eaſe to the more ſpeedy muſcles. The marks moſt likely to diſcover a Horſe of theſe properties are, a vigorous, ſanguine, and healthy colour, a head and neck as light as poſſible, whether handſome or not, a quick moving eye and ear, clean wide jaws and noſtrils, large thin ſhoulders, and high withers, deep cheſt, and ſhort back, large ribs, and wide pinbones, tail high and ſtiff, gaſkins well ſpread, and buttocks lean and hard: above all, let his joints be ſtrong and firm, and his legs and paſterns ſhort; for I believe there was never yet a long limber-legged Horſe that was able to gallop down ſteep hills, and take bold leaps with a weight upon his back, without ſinking or foundering.

As to all matters of feeding, phyſicking, airing, &c. I refer you to the more expert Grooms, or the learned Doctors of the Hammer and Pincers. But, as my way in ordering my ſteeds is to conſult uſe rather than ornament, I always keep them in the

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